WO2012145500A1 - Apparatus and method for cure monitoring and process control in glass fiber forming operation - Google Patents
Apparatus and method for cure monitoring and process control in glass fiber forming operation Download PDFInfo
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- WO2012145500A1 WO2012145500A1 PCT/US2012/034234 US2012034234W WO2012145500A1 WO 2012145500 A1 WO2012145500 A1 WO 2012145500A1 US 2012034234 W US2012034234 W US 2012034234W WO 2012145500 A1 WO2012145500 A1 WO 2012145500A1
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- G—PHYSICS
- G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
- G05D—SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES
- G05D23/00—Control of temperature
- G05D23/19—Control of temperature characterised by the use of electric means
- G05D23/1919—Control of temperature characterised by the use of electric means characterised by the type of controller
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N33/00—Investigating or analysing materials by specific methods not covered by groups G01N1/00 - G01N31/00
- G01N33/44—Resins; rubber; leather
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
- C03C—CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF GLASSES, GLAZES OR VITREOUS ENAMELS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF GLASS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF FIBRES OR FILAMENTS MADE FROM GLASS, MINERALS OR SLAGS; JOINING GLASS TO GLASS OR OTHER MATERIALS
- C03C25/00—Surface treatment of fibres or filaments made from glass, minerals or slags
- C03C25/10—Coating
- C03C25/12—General methods of coating; Devices therefor
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- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D04—BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
- D04H—MAKING TEXTILE FABRICS, e.g. FROM FIBRES OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; FABRICS MADE BY SUCH PROCESSES OR APPARATUS, e.g. FELTS, NON-WOVEN FABRICS; COTTON-WOOL; WADDING ; NON-WOVEN FABRICS FROM STAPLE FIBRES, FILAMENTS OR YARNS, BONDED WITH AT LEAST ONE WEB-LIKE MATERIAL DURING THEIR CONSOLIDATION
- D04H1/00—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres
- D04H1/40—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties
- D04H1/42—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties characterised by the use of certain kinds of fibres insofar as this use has no preponderant influence on the consolidation of the fleece
- D04H1/4209—Inorganic fibres
- D04H1/4218—Glass fibres
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- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D04—BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
- D04H—MAKING TEXTILE FABRICS, e.g. FROM FIBRES OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; FABRICS MADE BY SUCH PROCESSES OR APPARATUS, e.g. FELTS, NON-WOVEN FABRICS; COTTON-WOOL; WADDING ; NON-WOVEN FABRICS FROM STAPLE FIBRES, FILAMENTS OR YARNS, BONDED WITH AT LEAST ONE WEB-LIKE MATERIAL DURING THEIR CONSOLIDATION
- D04H1/00—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres
- D04H1/40—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties
- D04H1/58—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties by applying, incorporating or activating chemical or thermoplastic bonding agents, e.g. adhesives
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N21/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
- G01N21/84—Systems specially adapted for particular applications
- G01N21/85—Investigating moving fluids or granular solids
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N21/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
- G01N21/84—Systems specially adapted for particular applications
- G01N21/88—Investigating the presence of flaws or contamination
- G01N21/95—Investigating the presence of flaws or contamination characterised by the material or shape of the object to be examined
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N33/00—Investigating or analysing materials by specific methods not covered by groups G01N1/00 - G01N31/00
- G01N33/38—Concrete; ceramics; glass; bricks
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- G—PHYSICS
- G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
- G05B—CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS
- G05B11/00—Automatic controllers
- G05B11/01—Automatic controllers electric
- G05B11/32—Automatic controllers electric with inputs from more than one sensing element; with outputs to more than one correcting element
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
- G05B—CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS
- G05B13/00—Adaptive control systems, i.e. systems automatically adjusting themselves to have a performance which is optimum according to some preassigned criterion
- G05B13/02—Adaptive control systems, i.e. systems automatically adjusting themselves to have a performance which is optimum according to some preassigned criterion electric
- G05B13/04—Adaptive control systems, i.e. systems automatically adjusting themselves to have a performance which is optimum according to some preassigned criterion electric involving the use of models or simulators
- G05B13/048—Adaptive control systems, i.e. systems automatically adjusting themselves to have a performance which is optimum according to some preassigned criterion electric involving the use of models or simulators using a predictor
Definitions
- This invention relates in general to a method and apparatus for making bindered insulation products from fibrous minerals like glass and, in particular, to quality control methods for determining the cure status, i.e. whether the binder is undercured, overcured or properly cured within specifications and process control limits, and optimizing the process if it is not within control limits.
- Fibrous glass insulation products generally comprise randomly-oriented glass fibers bonded together by a cured thermosetting polymeric binder material. Molten streams of glass are drawn into fibers of random lengths and blown into a forming chamber or hood where they are randomly deposited as a pack onto a porous, moving conveyor or chain. The fibers, while in transit in the forming chamber and while still hot from the drawing operation, are sprayed with an aqueous dispersion or solution of binder. The residual heat from the glass fibers and combustion gases, along with air flow during the forming operation, are sufficient to vaporize and remove much of the sprayed water, thereby concentrating the binder dispersion and depositing binder on the fibers as a viscous liquid with high solids content.
- Ventilating blowers create negative pressure below the conveyor and draw air, as well as any particulate matter not bound in the pack, through the conveyor and eventually exhaust it to the atmosphere.
- the uncured fibrous pack is transferred to a drying and curing oven where a gas, heated air for example, is blown through the pack to dry the pack and cure the binder to rigidly bond the glass fibers together in a random, three-dimensional structure, usually referred to as a "blanket.”
- Sufficient binder is applied and cured so that the fibrous pack can be compressed for packaging, storage and shipping, yet regains its thickness - a process known as "loft recovery" - when compression is removed.
- thermocouple is installed inside the curing oven and is used to provide feedback to the heater control to make adjustments if the sensed temperature is not at a predetermined setpoint. While useful, this approach has drawbacks in that the thermocouple senses the generalized oven air temperature and gives no information about the pack temperature where the binder is located, and therefore no information about cure status.
- U.S. patent 7,781,512 to Charbonneau, et al describes two mechanisms for monitoring the cure status of formaldehyde-free glass fiber products.
- one or more spectrographic sensors such as an infrared sensor, detect the radiant energy from the pack upon exit from the oven.
- thermocouples are placed directly into the pack prior to entering the oven, and the signals are led by wires to an external device or to a transportable storage device such as a M.O.L.E® recorder (although the term "oven mole” is often used generically).
- a transportable storage device such as a M.O.L.E® recorder (although the term "oven mole” is often used generically).
- the present invention seeks to overcome these disadvantages and to provide a means to maintain the process within control limits.
- the invention relates to an apparatus and improved methods for continuously monitoring cure status of binder on a fibrous product and controlling the operation parameters or variables within defined control limits to improve product outcomes.
- the invention in an apparatus for controlling the cure status of binder applied to a fibrous product manufactured in a manufacturing line, the apparatus comprising:
- a curing oven having at least two zones with blowers for circulating heated gas through the oven zones, manipulatable controls for varying at least one operating parameter of the manufacturing line;
- a first sensor for generating a first signal indicative of the cure status of the fibrous product, and a distinct second sensor for generating a distinct second signal indicative of the cure status of the fibrous product;
- a processor for receiving the first and second signals from the first and second sensors and generating at least one control signal for adjusting at least one of the manipulatable controls of the manufacturing line in response to the first and second signals indicative of the cure status.
- the invention is a method for controlling the cure status of binder in a fibrous product manufactured on a manufacturing line including a curing oven and manipulatable controls for the operating parameters of the manufacturing line, the method comprising: sensing at least one first control variable indicative of the cure status of the fibrous product, and generating a first signal indicative of the cure status;
- the manipulatable controls may be selected from oven zone fan speeds, oven zone setpoint temperatures and coolant water flow.
- Either or both of the first and second sensors may independently be a thermocouple for sensing a temperature, or an image capture system for capturing an image such as a color value.
- ROI regions of interest
- the signals generated by any combination of similar sensors may be manipulated by processors or comparators to form average or differential values, for both temperatures and/or color values from an image capture system, regardless of the location of the sensor.
- the system may further comprise a ramp height sensor at a location prior to entering a first oven zone, and this information may also be input to the (MPC) processor for consideration in the optimization procedure.
- the apparatus comprises a plurality of sensors, each generating a respective signal indicative of the cure status of the fibrous product, and wherein: at least one sensor comprises a thermocouple; at least one sensor comprises an image capture system; and at least one sensor comprises a ramp height sensor. And in at least one method, each of these three (or more) signals is input to the MPC optimizer to generate a control signal for a manipulatable variable, such as oven zone fan speeds, oven zone setpoint temperatures and coolant water flow
- a primary feature of the present invention is to provide "continuous" or “on-line” measurements of feedback variables that represent cure status, and to utilize those measured variables to maintain “control” over the process for forming a bindered fibrous product.
- online is meant that the measurements can be taken without removing a sample of the fibrous product from the manufacturing line. Online measurements are continuous in the case of thermocouples and video images, and essentially continuous for captured images in that every batt can be sampled if desired without destruction or loss of line speed; although each captured image remains a still photo or snapshot.
- the invention also provides an apparatus and method for continuous thermal monitoring of cure status.
- the invention provides an apparatus for monitoring the cure status of binder in a fibrous product comprising:
- a curing oven having at least two zones with blowers for circulating heated gas through the oven zones, and a conveyor defining a fibrous product path for carrying a fibrous product through the oven zones;
- thermocouples for generating a signal corresponding to the temperature of the gas circulating in the oven zones, wherein at least one thermocouple is an outlet thermocouple in a first oven zone and at least one other thermocouple is selected from an outlet thermocouple or an inlet thermocouple in either of the at least two oven zones; and a processor for receiving the signals from the thermocouples and generating a binder cure status based on the signals from the at least two thermocouples.
- the invention provides a method for monitoring the cure status of binder in a fibrous product as the fibrous product passes through an oven, the method comprising:
- thermocouples are the sensors that provide the signals indicative of cure status. As described above and elsewhere herein, the thermocouples may be at one or more of several locations: e.g. inlet, outlet, entry or egress and in close proximity to the fibrous product path in an oven zone or subzone. Generally multiple thermocouples are used, and comparator circuitry may be provided for steps of calculating temperature differences, averages, differences of averages, and similar arithmetic manipulations.
- Another feature is the ability to select which variables to control for and to prioritize them for consideration by a dynamic optimizer processor.
- FIG. 1 is a partially sectioned side elevation view of a forming hood component of a manufacturing line for manufacturing fibrous products
- Fig. 2 is a schematic illustration representing the curing oven and its several zones and locations of thermocouples in the oven zones for one embodiment
- Fig. 3 is a schematic illustration representing two oven zones, a processor, and thermocouple locations and nomenclature for one embodiment
- FIG. 4A is a front view of a camera system installed over a manufacturing line;
- Figure 4B is a side view of this system;
- Fig. 5 is a block diagram representing the steps of one process embodiment according to the invention.
- Fig. 6 is schematic representation of the steps of involved in using a MPC processor for dynamic optimization of a manufacturing process
- Figs 7A and 7B are graphs of data described in more detail in the examples.
- Binders are well known in the industry to refer to thermosetting organic agents or chemicals, often polymeric resins, used to adhere glass fibers to one another in a three- dimensional structure that is compressible and yet regains its loft when compression is removed.
- Binder delivery refers to the mass or quantity of "binder chemical” e.g. "binder solids” delivered to the glass fibers. This is typically measured in the industry by loss on ignition or "LOI,” which is a measure of the organic material that will burn off the fibrous mineral. A fibrous pack is weighed, then subjected to extreme heat to burn off the organic binder chemical, and then reweighed. The weight difference divided by the initial weight (x 100) is the % LOI.
- binder As solids, rate of binder delivery is properly considered in mass/time units, e.g. grams/minute.
- binder is typically delivered as an aqueous dispersion of the binder chemical, which may or may not be soluble in water.
- Binder dispersions thus refer to mixtures of binder chemicals in a medium or vehicle and, as a practical matter, delivery of binder "dispersions” is given in flow rate of volume/time. e.g. liters/minute or LPM of the dispersion.
- the two delivery expressions are correlated by the mass of binder per unit volume, i.e. the concentration of the binder dispersion.
- a binder dispersion having X grams of binder chemical per liter flowing at a delivery rate of Z liters per min delivers X*Z grams/minute of binder chemical.
- Dispersions include true solutions, as well as colloids, emulsions or suspensions.
- references to "acidic binder” or “low pH binder” mean a binder having a dissociation constant (Ka) such that in an aqueous dispersion the pH is less than 7, generally less than about 6, and more typically less than about 4.
- Fibrous products are products made from a plurality of randomly oriented fibers.
- the fibers are generally bound in place by binders, described above.
- "Mineral fibers” refers to any mineral material that can be melted to form molten mineral that can be drawn or attenuated into fibers. Glass is the most commonly used mineral fiber for fibrous insulation purposes and the ensuing description will refer primarily to glass fibers, but other useful mineral fibers include rock, slag and basalt.
- Polymer fibers are fibers of any thermoplastic materials, for example as polyvinyls or polyesters like polyethylene, polypropylene and their terephalate derivatives.
- Process properties refers to a battery of testable physical properties that insulation batts possess. These may include at least the following common properties:
- “Stiffness” or “sag” refers to the ability of a batt or blanket to remain rigid and hold its linear shape. It is measured by draping a fixed length section over a fulcrum and measuring the angular extent of bending deflection, or sag. Lower values indicate a stiffer and more desirable product property. Other means may be used.
- uniformity or homogeneity of the product throughout its width may also be thought of as the uniformity of density of the product, and may be measured by sectioning the product longitudinally into bands of equal width (and size) and weighing the band, by a nuclear density gauge, or by other suitable means.
- VWD Very weight distribution
- homogeneity of the product throughout its thickness may also be thought of as the uniformity of density of the product, and may be measured by sectioning the product horizontally into layers of equal thickness (and size) and weighing the layers, by a nuclear density gauge, or by other suitable means.
- Fig. 1 illustrates a glass fiber insulation product manufacturing line including a forehearth 10, forming hood component or section 12, a ramp conveyor section 14 and a curing oven 16.
- Molten glass from a furnace (not shown) is led through a flow path or channel 18 to a plurality of fiberizing stations or units 20 that are arranged serially in a machine direction, as indicated by arrow 19 in Fig. 1.
- holes 22 in the flow channel 18 allow a stream of molten glass 24 to flow into a spinner 26, which may optionally be heated by a burner (not shown).
- Fiberizing spinners 26 are rotated about a shaft 28 by motor 30 at high speeds such that the molten glass is forced to pass through tiny holes in the circumferential sidewall of the spinners 26 to form primary fibers.
- Blowers 32 direct a gas stream, typically air, in a substantially downward direction to impinge the fibers, turning them downward and attenuating them into secondary fibers that form a veil 60 that is forced downwardly.
- the fibers are distributed in a cross-machine direction by mechanical or pneumatic "lappers" (not shown), eventually forming a fibrous layer 62 on a porous conveyor 64.
- the layer 62 gains mass (and typically thickness) with the deposition of additional fiber from the serial fiberizing units, thus becoming a fibrous "pack” 66 as it travels in a machine direction 19 through the forming area 46.
- One or more cooling rings 34 spray coolant liquid, such as water, on veil 60 to cool the fibers within the veil.
- coolant liquid such as water
- rings have the advantage of delivering coolant liquid to fibers throughout the veil 60 from a multitude of directions and angles.
- Flow of coolant water through an applicator or spray device such as the rings 34 is one example of a manipulatable variable as described in more detail below.
- a binder dispensing system includes binder sprayers 36 to spray binder onto the fibers of the veil 60.
- Illustrative coolant spray rings and binder spray rings are disclosed in US Patent Publication 2008-0156041 Al, to Cooper.
- Each fiberizing unit 20 thus comprises a spinner 26, a blower 32, one or more cooling liquid sprayers 34, and one or more binder sprayers 36.
- Fig. 1 depicts three such fiberizing units 20, but any number may be used.
- the forming area 46 is further defined by side walls 40 and end walls (one each shown) to enclosed a forming hood.
- the side walls 40 and end walls are each conveniently formed by a continuous belt that rotates about rollers 44 or 50, 80 respectively.
- the terms “forming hoodwall”, “hoodwall” and “hood wall” may be used interchangeably herein.
- binder and fibers accumulate in localized clumps on the hoodwalls and, occasionally, these clumps may fall into the pack and cause anomalous dense areas or "wet spots" that are difficult to cure.
- the conveyor chain 64 contains numerous small openings (encompassing e.g. approximately 50% of the area) allowing the air flow to pass through while links support the growing fibrous pack.
- a suction box 70 connected via duct 72 to fans or blowers (not shown) are additional production components located below the conveyor chain 64 to create a negative pressure and remove air injected into the forming area.
- the uncured pack 66 exits the forming section 12 under exit roller 80, where the absence of downwardly directed airflow and negative pressure (optionally aided by a pack lift fan, not shown) allows the pack to regain its natural, uncompressed height or thickness s.
- a subsequent supporting conveyor or "ramp" 82 leads the fibrous pack toward an oven 16 and between another set of porous compression conveyors 84 for shaping the pack to a desired thickness for curing in the oven 16.
- the cured pack or "blanket” Upon exit from the oven 16, the cured pack or "blanket” is conveyed downstream for cutting and packaging steps.
- the blanket is sectioned or "split" longitudinally into multiple pieces or lanes of standard width dimension, for example, 14.5 inch (37 cm) widths and 22.5 inch (57 cm) are standardized to fit in the space between 2x4 studs placed on 16 inch or 24 inch centers, respectively. Other standard widths may also be used.
- a blanket may be 4 to 8 feet (1.2 to 2.4 m) in width and produce multiple such standard width pieces.
- Blankets are typically also sectioned or "chopped” in a direction transverse to the machine direction for packaging.
- Transverse chopping divides the blanket lanes into shorter segments known as "batts” that may be from about 4 feet (1.2 m) up to about 12 feet (3.6 m) in length; or into longer, rolled segments that may be from about 20 feet (6.1 m) up to about 175 feet (53 m) or more in length.
- batts and rolls may eventually be bundled for packaging.
- a faster-running takeup conveyor separates one batt from another after they are chopped to create a space between sectioned batt ends. If longitudinal "lanes" are desired, they generally are split prior to chopping into shorter lengths. Oven Zones and Thermocouples
- the curing oven applies heated gas, typically air, and circulates it through the fibrous pack to dry and cure it.
- heated gas typically air
- the moisture must be removed (i.e. the product must be dried) before it will reach the critical temperature necessary to cure binder.
- the oven may be divided into at least two zones, a drying zone and a curing zone, and each of these may be further subdivided into subzones.
- Each "zone” or “subzone” as used herein will have separate and distinct controls for temperature setpoints and blower or fan speeds. As discussed in more detail below, both the temperature and the flow rate of the heated gas (air) are manipulatable variables.
- Figures 2 and 3 are schematic representations of ovens with zones and/or subzones.
- FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram representing an oven 16 which typically may include four distinct (sub)zones, Zl, Z2, Z3 and Z4.
- the zones are designed to carry out multiple processes.
- fans 90, 91 blow a stream of warmed air upwards through the pack 66; while in zones #3 and #4, fans 92, 93 blow a stream of warmed air downwards through the pack 66.
- Zones #1 and #2 may be thought of as "drying" subzones, while zones #3 and #4 may be thought of as "curing" subzones.
- the choice of up- versus down draft is a matter of preference, but upward is often used first to help counteract the downward suction force present in the forming hood.
- the air is heated by any suitable means, such as gas burners (not shown) associated with each zone to a temperature in the range of from about 400 F (204 C) to about 600 F (315 C).
- drying (sub)zones e.g. zones #1 and #2
- curing (sub)zones e.g. zones #3 and #4
- a temperature setpoint from about 430F (221 C) to about 550 F (288 C).
- Oven controls include controls (not shown) for increasing or decreasing the temperature and/or fan speed of each oven zone independently.
- thermocouples may be installed to compare the actual oven temperature to the setpoint.
- the present invention goes beyond this however, to provide an apparatus and method for continuously monitoring temperatures at various locations throughout the oven, and manipulating these measurements to obtain useful information about the pack temperature and cure state. While some of these are approximations of the pack temperature, good correlation has been found to exist with empirical data. Moreover, these measurements are delivered continuously in real time, so they can be used for process control. This latter point is a key advantage.
- thermosetting binder in a fibrous pack In order to cure thermosetting binder in a fibrous pack, the pack must reach a certain critical temperature to initiate and complete the chemical crosslinking or thermoset curing reaction. While the specific critical temperature may vary depending on the nature of the binder, the thickness of the product and other factors, it is generally in the range of from about 200 °F (93 C) to about 400 °F (204 C). Energy is put into the pack in the form of heated gas, typically heated air. But so long as moisture exists in the pack, a great deal of the input energy is used up evaporating the water and drying the pack rather than raising its temperature toward the critical temperature. Pack temperature changes little during this drying phase.
- thermocouple sensors can obtain useful signals indicative of temperature information from which the timing and status of the drying phase and curing phase can be estimated.
- thermocouple sensors in the ovens are important and some specific terminology is developed to describe the location. Initially, one may identify the zone in which the thermocouple is placed. There are at least two zones, e.g. a drying zone and a curing zone, designated (D) and (C) respectively. If they are divided into subzones, they may be designated by a numeral, e.g. Dl, D2, D3...Dn or CI, C2, C3....Cn.
- the conveyor 84 Within each oven zone, the conveyor 84 - often in top and bottom portions - defines a path along which the fibrous pack is carried.
- the conveyor 84 is again a foraminous web and may be approximately 50% porous and have a thickness of about 0.2 to about 6 inches (0.5 to 15.2 cm).
- the conveyor 84 and the fibrous pack path it defines enter each oven zone at an "entry” and leave each oven zone at an "egress.”
- Thermocouples may be placed in each zone near the entry, near the egress, or at any intermediate or middle locations along the path between the entry and egress. These locations are given shorthand notations "N" for entry, "G” for egress, and "M” for middle positions.
- the conveyor 84 is again a foraminous web and may be approximately 50% porous and have a thickness of about 0.2 to about 6 inches (0.5 to 15.2 cm).
- Thermocouples may be placed in each zone near the entry, near the egress, or at any intermediate or
- thermocouples are relatively linear in the machine direction and approximately along the cross-machine center line of the zone, although they might also be placed non-linearly or in arrays with cross-machine spacing between thermocouples. It should also be understood that in some zones the conveyor chain itself can carry significant heat from a previous zone, and this can compound the analysis of the temperature of the pack near the entries.
- thermocouples may be placed above or on top of the conveyor path (T), below the path (B), or both above and below the path (T/B). While 'above' and 'below' have meaning in the context of gravity, the direction of airflow in any given zone is a more relevant consideration, so it is more useful to think of the thermocouples as being located upstream or downstream of the pack path, sensing an inlet (designated "I") or outlet
- thermocouples below the pack sense an "inlet” temperature of the air "upstream” of the pack (i.e. before the air passes through the pack); and thermocouples above the pack sense an "outlet” temperature of the air “downstream” of the pack (i.e. after the passes through the pack).
- thermocouples above the pack sense inlet temperature while the thermocouples below the pack sense outlet temperatures.
- upstream or inlet (I) thermocouples always sense higher energy inlet air
- thermocouples sense lower temperatures after the pack has absorbed the energy from the heated air.
- each thermocouple may be specified by a series of designator letters (or numbers) that indicated its location in the oven.
- designator letters or numbers
- thermocouples are placed in close proximity to the pack.
- "Close proximity” means within a distance that is close enough to differentiate the temperature of the fibrous pack from the temperature of the essentially homogeneous mixture gas (air) within the portion of the oven zone above or below the pack path.
- this "close proximity" distance is less than about 24 inches (61 cm), more likely less than about 18 inches (46 cm) or 12 inches (30.5 cm), or even less than about 9, inches (23 cm), 6 inches (15.2 cm) or 3 inches (7.6 cm).
- the thickness of the conveyor itself plus a margin for mechanical safety will constrain how close a thermocouple can be to fibrous pack.
- thermocouples 95A - 98A may be installed in the oven above the pack 66, and/or thermocouples 95B - 98B may be installed below the pack 66. In each case the thermocouples are in close proximity to the pack 66 and its path along the conveyor 84.
- Figure 2 represents 2- 4 thermocouples above and below the pack 66 in each zone, the number may vary from 1 to about 30 in each zone, depending on the cross- sectional area and/or length of the zone.
- thermocouples By placing thermocouples in sets, some above (A) and some below (B) the pack, it is possible to understand how much energy is absorbed by the pack in evaporating the moisture from it or in carrying out the drying and curing reaction. This is advantageous over a mole thermocouple in that real-time pack temperature data is available on a continuous basis.
- oven zones #1 and #2 which are depicted as upflow zones, the lower thermocouples 95B and 96B are "upstream" or "inlet" thermocouples since they monitor the inlet
- thermocouples 95A and 96A are
- thermocouples 97B and 98B can be thought of as “downstream” or “exit” thermocouples and upper thermocouples 97A and 98A can be thought of as “upstream” or “inlet” thermocouples.
- zone #1 the outlet thermocouples 95 A are near the entry of zone #1, while in zone #2, the outlet thermocouples are near the egress of zone #2.
- thermocouple or "mole” is depicted at 94.
- thermocouples used may be any of a wide variety designed to operate at the temperatures of the curing ovens.
- Suitable thermocouples include those made of alloys of metals, primarily nickel, copper, aluminum and chromium (some with minor amounts of silicon and/or manganese, for example chromel, alumel and constantan) having sensitivities varying from about 40 ⁇ to about 60 ⁇ per °C change.
- Thermocouples are generally graded with a letter indicating type. Types K and J have been found suitable, J having generally higher sensitivity.
- FIG. 3 schematically illustrates an oven with two zones: a drying zone 1 (100) and curing zone 2 (102). Drying zone 1 is an upflow zone as shown by arrow 104; and curing zone 2 is a downflow zone as shown by arrow 106. A series of thermocouples are shown in each oven zone, each thermocouple being identified using the location designation nomenclature described above. Thermocouple conductor leads 108 connect the
- thermocouples to a processer unit 110.
- the conductor leads 108 are shown only for thermocouples located above the path 112, it being understood that thermocouples below the path 112 are similarly connected to the processor 110.
- An input device 114 such as a keyboard, touchpad, touchscreen, mouse or the like, may optionally be provided to program or provide other information to the processor.
- An output device 116 such as a printer, display monitor, speaker or the like, may also be connected to the processor.
- the input device 114 and output device 116 are adapted to provide interfaces, for example, visual, audible, tactile or other interfaces.
- thermocouple outputs are standard in the industry and need not be described in detail herein. In general, two types of comparisons are useful: temperature averages and temperature difference, which includes the difference between an absolute temperature and a standard. However, the information gleaned from these will vary depending on the location of thermocouples whose outputs are compared. With reference to Figures 3-5, Table B describes some averaging comparisons and some difference comparisons that have proven useful.
- thermocouples DnNO and DnGO averaging two or more thermocouples in different linear and optionally with positions across the same zone or subzone provides
- DnMO information about the average pack temperature across the zone may be useful in comparison to the oven zone setpoint or as used in differences (see below)
- D1NI and D1NO differences in temperature from upstream (inlet) side to
- DnNO and DnGO outlet differences from entry to egress in a drying zone or or especially subzone suggest the extent of drying.
- outlet D1NO and D2GO temperature rises gradually across a zone or subzone as
- downstream (outlet) side in the curing zone or subzone provide information about the extent of curing; generally this difference is fairly small compared to differences in the drying zones/subzones
- the entire differential profile throughout the oven e.g. from Dl to Cn is useful for monitoring cure as it provides assurance of adequate pack cure temperature sustained for an adequate duration of time.
- empirical work temperature depends on the particular manufacturing line and product (e.g. R-value, thickness, density, binder type and load, etc) but can be determined empirically.
- delta T difference between the outlet temperature in zone #1 near the entry and the outlet temperature in zone #2 near the egress
- a second useful temperature variable is derived from the entry temperatures (inlet and outlet) in zone #1. For a given inlet entry temperature the resultant outlet entry temperature is suggestive of how much initial moisture is present in the pack to absorb energy; the greater this difference, the higher the moisture level.
- a third possible temperature variable is the difference between inlet and outlet thermocouple pairs throughout the drying phase or drying distance (typically zones #1 and #2) and also throughout the curing phase, (e.g. zones #3 and #4). Within each zone the paired
- thermocouple difference generally diminishes moving from entry to egress as moisture is evaporated. When this difference reaches a sufficiently small threshold value, one may conclude the pack is essentially dried and the remaining energy absorption is attributed to the chemical curing reaction. This is another inference of drying distance.
- Another useful temperature variable is the outlet temperature in the oven zone, which can be used to estimate the pack temperature once the pack is dry.
- each comparison described in Table B above is binary
- compound comparisons are also encompassed. For example, taking the difference of two averaged readings, or combining the initial inlet-outlet difference with the entry-egress outlet differences in a complex comparison.
- all such arithmetic manipulations of two or more signals or values is necessarily encompassed by the step of sensing "at least one" variable, since at least two must be sensed for comparisons.
- thermocouple signals or the temperatures they represent
- thermocouples may be used alone or in combination with other measurements to assess cure. Some other possible measurements include, for example, tactile, visual and pH measurements.
- a color system variable is a color value as part of a color system as disclosed in application serial No. 13/089457 filed April 19, 2011, which is incorporated herein by reference.
- a color system variable may be monitored continuously by capturing video or sequential images of cut sections of the blanket as it proceeds down the line from oven to packaging.
- the image capture system constitutes a sensor that generates a signal indicative of sure status.
- Blankets of glass fiber products exiting the oven may be cut or "sectioned” into multiple pieces.
- the term “section” is any cut into the interior of the blanket and in most cases is a straight or planar cut.
- a sectioned face that lies generally in the X-Z plane is also known as a longitudinal "split" and generally defines the "lanes" of specific width.
- a section that lies generally in the Y-Z plane is also known as a "chopped" section.
- the term "end face” encompasses either the leading or terminal face of a chopped blanket.
- a section may also include cuts in the X-Y plane or in planes not aligned with the XYZ axes.
- any section can be "virtually" divided into multiple regions of interest ("ROIs), potentially in a grid format.
- ROIs regions of interest
- three ROIs in the Z direction might be designated T, M and B for top, middle and bottom; and four ROIs in the Y direction (designated, for example, LI, L2, L3 and L4) may, but do not have to, correspond to longitudinal lanes as described above.
- each ROI may be described using row/column coordinates, much like a spreadsheet.
- RGB Color encoding scheme red, green and blue (RGB) color
- CIE stands for Commission Internationale de I'eclairage, or the International Commission
- L perceived luminosity
- A a color position between red/magenta and green
- B a color position between yellow and blue
- just one value such as the L, A or B value; or a combination of two values.
- FIGS 4A and 4B illustrate an image capture system 200 for capturing the image mentioned above.
- the cured blanket 67 is led past this image capture system 200, typically under it.
- longitudinal splits may divide the blanket in to multiple lanes as represented by lanes 202A, 202B, and 202C.
- a mounting bracket 204 is suspended from a horizontal rail 206 extending over the manufacturing line.
- the bracket 204 has two ends.
- a first end (to the right in Figure 4B) includes a camera arm 210, on which are secured illumination lights 212 and at least one camera 214.
- a second end of the mounting bracket 204 includes a calibration arm 220 on which is mounted a calibration plate 222 having a calibration surface 224 facing the camera 214.
- Either the camera arm 210 or the calibration plate 222, or both, is pivotably mounted so that it is permitted to swing upward/downward to place the calibration surface 224 into the view of the camera 214 for calibrating the camera.
- a pivot bracket 216 is pivotably mounted to the camera arm 210 and pivots about pivot shaft 218, so that the camera 214 can swing upward to capture a calibration image from the calibration plate surface 224.
- Motor 230 and gear box 232 are coupled to pivot shaft 218 to cause the rotation that pivots the cameras 214.
- the angle of view of each camera is represented by lines 234 extending from the camera lens which, depending on the thickness of the blanket 67, may overlap as shown.
- the image capture system 200 may comprise an array of multiple cameras arranged side by side in the Y direction, as shown in Figure 4A to capture the image of the sectioned face 203 across the entire width of the blanket 67 in the Y direction, as well as the entire height in the Z direction.
- a blanket of 4-6 feet (1.2 to 1.8 m) in width may utilize 3 to 6 cameras, with sufficient lights 212 to capture a suitable image.
- Support towers 236 elevate the image system 200 above the manufacturing line as needed, and a control panel 238 may be installed on one side or the other. Additional brackets, arms and calibration plates may be added as needed to support the cameras and lights.
- the mounting brackets and arms may be any suitable material, such as stainless steel or aluminum, for suspending the required equipment.
- a laser height sensor 240 mounted on the bracket 204 (shown behind a cutaway section of support strut) is a laser height sensor 240. This detects the height of the blanket, which may vary depending on the desired R value, and sends a binary (on/off) signal to a processor (not shown). When the height of the blanket is above a preset threshold, the sensor 240 sends the "on” signal; but when the height drops below the threshold (e.g. to zero relative to the conveyor, as when a gap between chopped batts is encountered), the sensor 240 sends an "off signal to the processor. Either change (from off to on, or from on to off) can be used to trigger the camera 214 to capture an image, depending on the camera configuration.
- the end face 203 may be the trailing edge of a batt that has already passed, for which the on-to-off sensor signal change triggers the camera.
- the end face 203 may be the leading edge of a batt that is about to pass as depicted in Figure 4B, and the sensor off-to-on signal change triggers the camera.
- the angle of the camera 214 and the distance of the height sensor 240 from the blanket are coordinated to ensure that the camera captures an image of the sectioned end face 203. Any suitable gap or height or interruption sensor could be used in place of a laser sensor 240.
- the illuminating lights 212 may comprise any means of illumination, including but not limited to incandescent, fluorescent and light emitting diodes (LED). They may be configured to be constantly on or they can be configures to flash or "strobe" in combination with the camera trigger.
- the color of "white” light is very subjective, thus the need for "white balancing" or color calibration of the cameras.
- Suitable illumination was obtained from Model L300 Linear Connect-a-Light available from Smart Vision Lights, Muskegon, MI; or from model number HBR-LW16, white LED light made by CCS America, Burlington, MA. In some cases, one or two light bars were utilized. In some embodiments, the lights pivot with the camera, while in other embodiments, the lights are stationary.
- the camera 214 in some embodiments is a charge coupled device (CCD) digital color camera. Resolution is not critical; successful operation was achieved with resolutions of 480 x 640 as well as 1024 x 760, 1296 x 966, and 1392 x 1040. Manufacturers of suitable cameras include Sony, Hitachi, Basler, Toshiba, Teledyne Dalsa, and JAI.
- CCD charge coupled device
- FIG. 1 Various image processing software packages are commercially available and it is believed that many would be suitable for use with the invention.
- Exemplary image processing software programs include those from Cognex, Matrox, National Instrument, and Keyence.
- the generalized steps that the software may perform are set forth in a portion of the block diagram of Figure 5.
- the blanket, or longitudinal slices thereof, are sectioned transversely to create leading and trailing end faces.
- the gap in blanket height triggers the camera or cameras to capture an image of the end face, block 132.
- This image is fed to a processor represented by block 134 where the software performs a suitable analysis of the image. If necessary, the processor combines multiple images into one panoramic view (block 136).
- the processor can identify the edges of the longitudinal sections and create boundaries of the image that correspond to the longitudinal lanes.
- the processor also overlays a grid of regions of interest (ROIs) onto the image, block 138.
- ROIs regions of interest
- Horizontally i.e. in the Y direction
- the Y- direction bounds of the ROI may correspond exactly to the segmented lanes, or there may be a plurality of horizontal ROIs per lane of the image.
- the processor analyzes each ROI to obtain a value for at least one color system variable, block 140.
- a wide variety of color system variables are useful and some are described below.
- the B-value is one color system variable that has been found suitable for monitoring the cure state of fibrous insulation products and is described herein as one example; although a variety of other color system variables might also be used.
- At least one color system variable is obtained for each ROI.
- the color system variable values from each ROI may be combined mathematically to find average, differential or blended values for larger areas, block 142. For example, in some embodiments, a color system variable value is calculated for all horizontal ROIs as a group, producing an average top color value, average middle color value and average bottom color value.
- a key feature of the invention is the ability to see inside the pack to a "sectioned" or interior face on a continuous basis to examine cure state within the pack. This is very different from existing online systems that look only at the exterior surface, and from existing offline visual or color systems that cannot be performed on a continuous basis.
- Many software packages will also provide statistical measures of the variability of the data collected, such as minimum, maximum, range, mean, median, standard deviation, etc. It is assumed for discussion that only one color system variable is measured. While that may be sufficient, in some embodiments it may be desirable to measure from each ROI multiple color system variables (such as but not limited to L, A and B, see below) and statistical information for each value. All the color value data is examined by a processor, which can report the existence and location of areas that may be undercured (or overcured), block 144. Subsequently, the process controls may be adjusted to improve the cure status, block 146.
- Corrective actions to adjust process controls are made in reaction to a particular cure status situation or circumstance. For example, right-to-left or side-to side variations (cross machine or Y direction) in cure might warrant adjustment of the pneumatic lappers to achieve a more uniform lateral weight distribution.
- the bottom layer is sometimes more cured due to a variety of possible reasons, including, e.g. upward convection of high temperature air in zones 1 and 2 of the oven and conduction of additional heat from the conveyor chain 64 as the pack traverses the oven.
- Undercured top areas (relative to middle or bottom) may suggest higher temperatures or higher fan speeds in zones 3 and 4 (which have downdraft airflow) or, conversely, by reducing the temperature or airflow in zones 1 and 2.
- Undercure in the middle ROI (relative to top and bottom) might suggest reducing moisture at middle forming units. Additional possible corrective actions that might be taken in response to various cure status conditions are identified in Example 7, below.
- PID controllers may offer suitable control solutions for simpler operations processes. These are well known in the art and need no further description. They are frequently used for single-loop feedback control systems.
- Model Predictive Control (MPC) systems are also well known tools for more complex and dynamic plant operations process management. See, for example, Zheng (Ed.) Model Predictive Control, Sciyo, 2010 (downloadable at:
- MPC originated in the chemical industry and provides an iterative means to monitor multiple dependent and independent variables sampled periodically from the operating process, and to predict the effect on dependent variables of adjusting the independent variables. This is generally done over a limited time horizon in a dynamic fashion so as to optimize an economic or cost variable.
- Software systems for implementing MPC are available from a wide variety of suppliers, including AspenTech, Honeywell, Shell Global Systems, Invensys, Continental Controls, and Pavillion/Rockwell.
- Various MPC algorithms are employed by different providers, the details of which are not essential. In general, the algorithms use either linear or non-linear programming; and empirical data or "first principles" theories (such as
- the MPC optimizer algorithm involves two steps. In a first step, it solves a steady-state optimization problem using linear programming (LP) to identify an optimum operating point. Then, in a second step using dynamic optimization, the optimal steady-state operating condition from the first step is imposed on the control problem.
- LP linear programming
- Figure 6 shows a schematic diagram of a general fibrous product operation 150, including a forming hood or section 12 and an oven 16.
- Disturbances 152 are shown impacting the operation 150 at arrow 154, and they may impact the forming hood 12 or the oven 16 or both.
- disturbances 152 refer to the input variables that are not easily controlled in the process. They may be measured or unmeasured, dependent or independent. For example, in a typical manufacturing plant for fibrous products, the ambient temperature and humidity are independent and not easily controlled. Similarly, for a given product specification, the fiber diameter and glass pull-through (glass flow rate to fiberizers) are not easily controlled.
- pack moisture and thickness may be considered disturbances from the standpoint of oven controls, they may also be considered control variables in the larger context of the overall forming operation, where flows of liquids are controllable and have an indirect impact on ramp height and moisture.
- Pack moisture affects drying distance, which can be determined by the delta T measure described above in connection with Table B. Within the constraints of oven fan speed limits, the oven optimizer control can control delta T to reject unmeasured disturbances of pack moisture.
- the independent variables that can be adjusted easily are the "manipulatable" variables 156 as used herein. These are the so-called “knobs” and “levers” that can be adjusted to impact the operation 150.
- the manipulatable variables 156 include the oven or zone fan speeds, the oven or zone set point temperatures, the coolant water flow rate and, optionally, the binder diluent flow rate (which adds additional water without impacting binder delivery). Binder flow rates, while controllable, are dictated by the desired loading rate (LOI) and product properties and are not considered “manipulatable” variables 156 for this reason.
- LOI desired loading rate
- control variables 158 are potential “control variables” 158. These are the process variables whose values the operator and the MPC seek to maintain within specified acceptable limits. Important "Control Variables” 158 are further described in Table D, below.
- Oven/zone outlet temp The temperature sensed by the outlet thermocouples that are downstream of the drying/curing media in the oven or in a particular zone of the oven. Depending on the location in the oven, these may not be very close to the oven zone
- thermocouples located anywhere in any zone, as explained in more detail above in the section "Temperature variables.”
- Oven/zone temp averages The average temperatures sensed by any two or more
- thermocouples located anywhere in any zone, as explained in more detail above in the section "Temperature variables.”
- Color values A color value measured from any section as a variable of a color system, such as the LAB or other systems described above in the section "Color value variables and detection system”.
- Color value averages The average of two or more measured color values as
- Ramp height The thickness of the pack as it enters the oven. This can be viewed as a disturbance from the viewpoint of oven controls, but it does respond to levels of coolant water flow, so it can be thought of as controlled indirectly when coolant flow is manipulatable.
- Total Energy Usage The total energy used by the system in BTU or equivalent units, generally expressed per unit time or per quantity or units of production.
- Sensors 160 sense and measure one or more of the control variables 158. Suitable exemplary sensors 160 are described above as the thermocouples 95-98 and image capture system 200. Sensors 160 produce signals 162 that may be processed through comparators or other processors 164A, 164B, such as the thermal processor 110 or the image processor 134 already described. Processors 164A, 164B then output signals 166 that are input to the MPC system 168. After processing according to its algorithm and variable prioritization (described below) the MPC processor outputs one or more control signals 170 to the one or more of the manipulatable variables 156, which lead to controls of the operation via signals 172 and 174.
- signals 172 control forming hood manipulatable variables 156
- signals 174 control oven manipulatable variables 156.
- Only one control signal line is shown (at 170, 172, and 174), but it should be understood that multiple signal lines may be required depending on the number of variables measured or controlled.
- Two sensor signals 162, and two comparator processor output signals 166 are shown representing the minimum for a multivariable process control, although more than two signals are used in many embodiments.
- control variables 158 may be selected for process control to be maintained within predetermined limits. For example, 2 or more, 3 or more, 4 or more, 6 or more, 8 or more, or 10 or more variables may be selected for controlling. Typically at least one is selected for optimization once all identified control variables are within their limits. Typically, the optimization variable is one representing cost or other economic benefit. In the present invention, the total energy used is a useful proxy for cost and the MPC processor will choose conditions that minimize total energy (maximize economic benefit) once all variables are in control.
- control variables may be ranked in terms of priority for maintaining within their respective limits. This may be necessary as the limits for multiple control variables could impose so many constraints on the operation that there may be no feasible solution that satisfies all constraints. Therefore, prioritization of the control variables may be useful to tell the MPC optimizer which control limits may be sacrificed in favor of maintaining other control variables within their limits. Control variables may be ranked in strict ordinal fashion, or grouped into two or more tiers ranging from most important, through lesser importance to least important. While many prioritization schemes may be useful for manufacturing fibrous products like insulation, applicants have found the prioritization of table E useful. Other options are illustrated in the examples.
- Color values such as color B values and average color B values
- Zone temperature differences such as the difference
- Zone outlet temperatures especially at curing zones, such as zones 3 and 4 in a four zone oven
- a MPC optimizer from AspenTech is programmed to monitor and control the variables shown in Table 1, below, in a four zone oven using the manipulated variables of: (1) fan speeds in zones 1-4, and (2) setpoint temperatures in zones 1-4. In each case, total energy use is selected for optimization, once selected variables are in control.
- a MPC optimizer from AspenTech is programmed to monitor and control the variables shown in Table 2, below, in a four zone oven using the manipulated variables of: (1) fan speeds in zones 1-4, (2) setpoint temperatures in zones 1-4; and (3) coolant water flow into the forming hood.
- total energy use is selected for optimization, once selected variables are in control except, in Example 5, Color B difference was selected as a secondary optimization variable in addition to total energy use.
- Action Tables set forth some corrective actions to take in given situations depending on the cure status of various sampled locations. Many of these can be automated using continuous, online measurements and a dynamic MPC processor.
- Verify Ramp Height is at target Increase all Oven Zone temps by 5 ° each (react zone) 10 ° each (react
- thermocouples were conducted in a plant by installing multiple thermocouples in each oven zone of a four zone curing oven.
- Various fiberglass insulation test products were produced, including insulation blankets having R-value designations R-l l, R13, R-19, R-25 and R-30.
- the temperatures (°F) sensed by the thermocouples were recorded to generate the temperature profiles shown in Fig. 7A.
- a temperature difference was also calculated between the inlet and outlet temperatures at each thermocouple location and this is also shown in Fig. 7A.
- the data points represent the average of 60 minutes of readings for each position; and the x-axis represents the position of the thermocouples along the four zone oven path.
- the profiles are somewhat ordered with greater inlet-outlet differences for the higher R-values (thicker and presumably containing more moisture), however this is not precisely so due to other production factors such as coolant or binder adjustments, or oven temp or fan speed, that may confound the expected profile.
- the relatively stable average temperature of about 430 °F (221 C) indicates - based on empirical, historical evidence - that this particular product (Australian R- 3.5 fiberglass insulation) is fully cured.
- the cure status of the pack or batt is known with a higher degree of accuracy, including information about the degree or magnitude of undercure or overcure, if any. This provides the
Abstract
Description
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Priority Applications (7)
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CA2833641A CA2833641A1 (en) | 2011-04-19 | 2012-04-19 | Apparatus and method for cure monitoring and process control in glass fiber forming operation |
KR1020137030569A KR20140025472A (en) | 2011-04-19 | 2012-04-19 | Apparatus and method for cure monitoring and process control in glass fiber forming operation |
NZ616917A NZ616917B2 (en) | 2011-04-19 | 2012-04-19 | Apparatus and method for cure monitoring and process control in glass fiber forming operation |
CN201280025633.7A CN103562717B (en) | 2011-04-19 | 2012-04-19 | Apparatus and method for cure monitoring and process control in glass fiber forming operation |
EP12773699.9A EP2699899A4 (en) | 2011-04-19 | 2012-04-19 | Apparatus and method for cure monitoring and process control in glass fiber forming operation |
JP2014506548A JP6059710B2 (en) | 2011-04-19 | 2012-04-19 | Apparatus and method for monitoring curing, and process control of glass fiber molding operation |
AU2012245484A AU2012245484B2 (en) | 2011-04-19 | 2012-04-19 | Apparatus and method for cure monitoring and process control in glass fiber forming operation |
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US13/089,457 US9128048B2 (en) | 2010-12-09 | 2011-04-19 | Method for online determination of cure status of glass fiber products |
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US13/116,611 | 2011-05-26 | ||
US13/116,611 US8718969B2 (en) | 2011-04-19 | 2011-05-26 | Apparatus and method for continuous thermal monitoring of cure status of glass fiber products |
US13/288,302 US20120271445A1 (en) | 2011-04-19 | 2011-11-03 | Multivariable predictive control optimizer for glass fiber forming operation |
US13/288,302 | 2011-11-03 |
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- 2012-04-19 CN CN201280025633.7A patent/CN103562717B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2012-04-19 EP EP12773699.9A patent/EP2699899A4/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2012-04-19 JP JP2014506548A patent/JP6059710B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2012-04-19 AU AU2012245484A patent/AU2012245484B2/en not_active Ceased
- 2012-04-19 KR KR1020137030569A patent/KR20140025472A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
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Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US9128048B2 (en) | 2010-12-09 | 2015-09-08 | Owens Corning Intellectual Capital, Llc | Method for online determination of cure status of glass fiber products |
US8718969B2 (en) | 2011-04-19 | 2014-05-06 | Owens Corning Intellectual Capital, Llc | Apparatus and method for continuous thermal monitoring of cure status of glass fiber products |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
AU2012245484B2 (en) | 2016-01-28 |
JP2014517917A (en) | 2014-07-24 |
KR20140025472A (en) | 2014-03-04 |
CN103562717A (en) | 2014-02-05 |
EP2699899A4 (en) | 2015-03-18 |
US20120271445A1 (en) | 2012-10-25 |
JP6059710B2 (en) | 2017-01-11 |
CN103562717B (en) | 2017-02-22 |
CA2833641A1 (en) | 2012-10-26 |
NZ616917A (en) | 2015-08-28 |
AU2012245484A1 (en) | 2013-11-07 |
EP2699899A1 (en) | 2014-02-26 |
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